Netanyahu: “How Many Times Do I Have to Invite Abbas for Talks?”

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, who was asked this week why he doesn’t initiate something with President Mahmoud Abbas on the Palestinian track, said: “How many times do I have to invite him for talks? There is a certain conception toward Israel that blames it for everything no matter what.”

Netanyahu said that it is “impossible to start [negotiations] because Abbas talks about a willingness, but then runs away from them. Therefore, talk now of an initiative sounds rather hollow.”

Netanyahu also came out strongly against a Gaza seaport, saying the port in Ashdod is capable of dealing with goods entering Gaza. “I will not enable the opening of a maritime artery to Gaza that will enable the smuggling of weapons for terrorism,” he said.

Meanwhile, PA President Mahmoud Abbas has reiterated his strong opposition to recognizing Israel as a Jewish state. This Palestinian refusal is one of the main obstacles to peace between Israel and the Palestinians. PA complaints about settlement construction are nothing more than a smokescreen. Many Palestinians regard Israel as one big settlement that needs to be removed from the Middle East. Even those who say they have accepted the two-state solution are not prepared to recognize any Jewish link to or history in the land.